Method and apparatus for inducing localized analgesic condition

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for inducing localized analgesic condition, characterized by a fixation inducing means such as a pad that simulates the presence and pressure of a hypnotherapist, a prerecorded record containing the speech that the hypnotherapist would normally make to the patient and a player for playing the record; thereby enabling auto-conditioning the patient&#39;&#39;s muscular-nervous-skeletal systems to induce an analgesic condition in a patient at the site of pain or prospective pain.

United States Patent Monaghan METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDUCINGLOCALIZED ANALGESIC CONDITION Frank J. Monaghan, 3515 Blue Bonnet Cir.,Fort Worth, Tex. 76109 Filed: Sept. 7, 1973 Appl. No.: 395,290

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Sen No. 171,450,Aug. 13. 1971 abandoned Inventor:

US. Cl. 128/1 R; 128/1 C; 179/] AA Int. Cl. A6lM 21/00 Field of Search128/1 C, l R; 179/100.2 R, 179/1 AA References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 12/1912 Bullock 12 5/196] Gardiner et a1 l 14 1 Sept. 30, 19753.0141477 12/1961 Carlin .1 128/1 0 3.205.316 9/1965 Hechler 179/1002 R3,213.851 10/1965 Currea v 1 1215/] C 3.334.074 5/1968 121111110111 eta1 128/1 c FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1.220031 l/l960 France v.128/1 c Primary Examiner-Kyle Ll Howell Attorney, Agent, or F irmJamesC. Fails [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for inducing localizedanalgesic condition, characterized by a fixation inducing means such asa pad that simulates the presence and pressure of a hypnotherapist, aprerecorded record containing the speech that the hypnotherapist wouldnormally make to the patient and a player for playing the record;thereby enabling auto-conditioning the patientsmuscular-nervous-skeletal systems to induce an analgesic condition in apatient at the site of pain or prospective pain.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of23,908,634

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet20f2 3,908,634

Analgesia g Shoulder HRS.

TIME 7 MIN.

Ely- 33 VI B R ATO R OR 7 PLAYER PU LSATOR INVE/V TOR %%fl% M%M fiflfl ATTOR/VEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDUCING LOCALIZED ANALGESICCONDITION CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is acontinuation-in-part of my earlier filed patent application Ser. no.171,450, filed Aug. 13, 1971 and entitled Method and Apparatus for Inducing Localized Analgesic Condition now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to improved method and appa; ratus for use of hypnosis forinducing a localized analgesic condition at the site of pain orprospective pain in a patient without requiring chemical anesthetic orthe presence of a hypnotherapist.

2. Description of the Prior Art Hypnotism is known to induce a hypnotictrance for treating pain or for operating on a patient where advisable.chemically induced anesthesia is not available. One of the dangers ofoperating on patients who are in a hypnotic trance is that of theinability of the patient to communicate with the doctor. If, forexample, the anesthesia is ineffective, the patient, not able to relayhis fears to the physician, may become hysterical. The hysteria servesas his only means to escape from a painful situation quickly. Such areaction is detrimental to the image of the doctor and hypnosis alike.

Modern hypnotherapists rely upon post hypnotic suggestion to overcomethe above-cited danger. If the patient has accepted a reliable posthypnotic anesthesia he is able to submit to any surgery, retainingnormal conscious awareness, and therefore in a position to immediatelytell the doctor that repeated induction or local anesthesia is calledfor, precluding the danger of hysteria.

Also, hypnotism is known for inducing an analgesic condition in alocalized area or site. For example, the hypnotherapist may apply apressure to a localized area to draw the patients attention thereto andsimultaneously hypnotize the patient to induce the desired analgesiccondition. The problem is that there are not enough qualifiedhypnotherapists; particularly those that are also medical doctors. Also,the combination of the use of a medical doctor and a hypnotherapist isexpensive.

The prior art has seen the development of the use of recordings toinduce a hypnotic trance in a patient. Moreover, a method oftransferring hypnoanesthesia from one part of the body; for example,from a finger; was mentioned by Wolfe, Techniques of Hypnotherapy,LeCron, 1961, page 196. This method of transferring the anesthesia fromone part of the body to the desired site is effected by: (1) inducingthe anesthesia into the part of the body and (2) touching the sitewherein the analgesic condition is to be induced; and is often referredto as the magic finger technique. In this method, the patient has theanalgesic condition induced into the finger first and then transferredto the site. A method similar to the magic finger method is described ina United States patent. That patent also describes some of the otherproblems in achieving widespread use of hypnotherapy. As pointed outtherein, music and sound have been used as distraction devices inpsychotherapy and in suggestive therapy but are less than satisfactory.

Acceptance of hypnotic anesthesia or analgesia by suggestion alone,without the physical contact, or fixation, is unique to exceptionallysuggestable subjects entering the somnambulistic state. It is generallyrecognized that not more than 22 percent of the subjects can be expectedto attain this depth of suggestability.

Insofar as I am aware no one has successfully devised a means ofeliminating a need for the presence ofthe hypnotist orphysician-hypnotist in the induction of analgesia or anesthesia. In theclosest method of the prior art, as described in the above-referencedpatent, the doctor must be trained in the art of instruction of thepatient to accept or transfer anesthesia. It is obvious that the doctorcould not do this without training participation. Few doctors arequalified to pre-record hypnotically oriented tapes or records. At best,some of the prior art methods could work with only about 22 percent ofthe individuals and require a knowledgeable physician to effect areduction in sensitivity to pain, the

procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly,'it is an object of this inventionto provide method and apparatus for inducing an analgesic condition inalmost all patients at a site of pain or prospective pain withoutrequiring chemicals; without requiring the presence of a trainedhypnotherapist;.and without requiring music or extraneous sounds tominimize sensitivity to pain; thereby obviating the disadvantages of theprior art methods and apparatus.

In accordance with this invention, there is applied to a site whereanesthesia is to be induced a fixation inducing means for drawing thepatients attention to the site; the fixation inducing means such as apad having a sufficient conforming fit and force to apply a pressure tothe site; and, simultaneously, a record is played by a record player toauto-condition the patients muscular-nervous-skeletal speech that thehypnotherapist would normally make to the patient. The physical pressureof the fixation inducing means combined with the speech on theprerecorded record such as a tape simulate the presence and pressure ofa hypnotherapist; and I have found that, with proper conditioning,almost all subjects can be expected to respond to the light trance suchthat hypnotic anesthesia or analgesia can be anticipated where thecontact, or fixation, is employed; contrary to the prior art methodsrelying solely upon suggestion. More specifically, this invention, ineither the method or apparatus embodiments, employs suggestions that arepresented via recorded tape to instruct the patient to progressivelyrelax all the muscles of the body; Once the patient is relaxed he is ina light to medium trance condition. His attention is directed to the padthat affords the requisite fixation at the site. He responds tosuggestions asking him to think of the warmth of his own body generatingmatter in the pad, which in turn creates numbness. It is furthersuggested that the numbness, or anesthesia, will remain with the patientfor a specified period of time which may be for hours, days, or longer.The patient is awakened by the recording and retains the numbness.

systems by playing the.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a combination perspective and planview of the supine patient employing apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of this inventionemploying another type of pad for a difficultly fittable site, orportion, of the anatomy.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a pad such as employed for the neck, as in theembodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a pad such as employed on the shoulder.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a simple pad that might be employed for a hand,back or abdomen; depending upon the size of the pad.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a pad which might be employed for a hip.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pad which might be employed for ajoint of theanatomy; for example, the knee or elbow.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pad which may be employed for the foot orankle.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a typical decal for application tothe tapes used in one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of this inventionwhich has application in inducing analgesia for dental work.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a patient 11is illustrated with a plurality of fixation inducing means as pads 13-19emplaced at localized sites of pain or prospective pain. The fixationinducing means must draw the patient's attention to a particular areafor the purpose of relieving discomfort through auto-conditioning of thepatients muscular-nervous-skeletal systems by acceptance of suggestionsfrom a record means containing a speech by the hypnotherapist. Asillustrated, the pads have sufficient weight distribution and conformingfit to draw the patients attention to the site and thereby simulate thepresence and pressure of the hypnotherapist. Simulating the pressure ofthe hand of the hypnotherapist requires a loading of more than about 0.2ounce per square inch (oz./sq./in.). Ordinarily, up to one or moreounces per square inch can be employed successfully. The pads l3-19should have a sufficiently unfamiliar shape and weight that the patientcan feel that the pad has special qualities under the influence of thesuggestion from the tape. Ordinarily, the patient will have only asingle pad applied and the record will be selected in accordance withthe site into which the analgesic condition is to be induced. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2-8, the pads come in a wide variety of conformingshapes. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a neck pad 21 maycomprise a plurality of chambers 23 and 25 that are circularlydisposable for conformingly fitting about the neck. To retain the pad inplace, tie strings 27 are provided. In like manner, a shoulder pad 13 isillustrated in FIG. 4 for emplacement about the shoulders. If desired,the shoulder pad may be divided into a plurality of chambers also. Asillustrated in FIG. 5 a regularly shaped pad may be employed for use onrelatively flat areas such as the back or abdomen. A smaller pad ofregular shape, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5, or a glove ormitten having the req uisite unfamiliar feel and weight or force may beemployed for areas such as the hand. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a lessregularly shaped pad 17 may be required to fit in the hip region. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, a shaped pad 18 having arcuatesides and aplurality of chambers 29 and 31 may be required to fit joints such asthe elbow or knee. Still more irregularly shaped pads 19 may be requiredto fit the feet or ankles and provide the requisite weight distributionto draw the patients attention to the local site. Suitable draw strings27 may be employed also on the irregularly shaped pads, as illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 8. The pads may be comprised of a plurality of chambers;illustrated by chambers 23 and 25, FIG. 3, or chambers 29 and 31, FIG.7; which are filled with a plurality of small particles, or pellets 34.The pellets 34 are revealed only for purposes of illus tration, the flap36 being an integral part of the fabric normally. I have found, forexample, that beans, plastic or bb pellets effect the desiredflexibility and weight distribution when flexible walls such as silkycloth are employed to define the respective chambers. The silky clothbags of pellets that are being employed effect a pressure loading ofabout 0.4 ounce per square inch. The silky cloth containing theparticles also has enough unfamiliar feel to enable the patient torespond to the suggestions on the tape.

In FIG. 1, a record means for preserving oral communication isillustrated by tape cassette 33 containing a tape therewithin. The tapehas recorded thereon a speech that a hypnotherapist would normally maketo the patient if the hypnotherapist were present. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the cassette tape has a lavel so that it may be selected inaccordance with the particular pad, the time the analgesia is to beinduced and the time that the patient is to be auto-conditioned. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the cassette 33 is selected to induceanalgesia into the shoulder for a period of 72 hours and will play for 7minutes. It is employed in conjunction with a shoulder pad 13, FIG. 1. I

The record, or tape, is played by a transducing means, illustrated astape player 35, for transducing the speech from the tape into auditorysensations perceivable by the patient. Specifically, the tape player 35has speaker means for directing speech into the patients ears. Thespeaker means take the form of headset 37. Any other forms of recordsand transducing means; for example, disc records and record players,with speakers built-in or in the form of headsets; may be employed asmost convenient. The headsets are preferable, since they block out otherauditory sensations and enable the patient to concentrate more on theinstructions from the tape, in combination with the fixation induced bythe particular pad being employed; such as, shoulder pad 13.

In operation, a recorded message is devised for use with a particularpad, or fixation inducing means, placed on a given portion of the body.Since the patient is conditioned to long term anesthesia by accepting a24 hour anesthesia, then a 72 hour and so forth, the tapes are preparedfor each stage so they may be selected to induce the longer anesthesiagradually. The tapes and the pads are then correlated and distributed,with appropriate instructions, to the doctors for use, without requiringthe presence of the hypnotherapist.

The doctor selects the tape cassette, on which is indicated the site andthe pad to be used adjunctively therewith and on which is indicated thedesired duration of the anesthesia e 24 hour, 72 hour, 7 days, etc. The

doctor or his assistantt'places the appropriate pad on the site of thepatient-Is body. He places theearphone on the patient's head, orinstructs thepatient to'do so. The patient is advised to. make himselfcomfortable and, with eyes closed.- listen to the recorded message.Themessage is a speech that the trained hypnothera pist has made for thedesired stage of analgesia inducement and the site ahd pad indicated. i

As indicated, the label on the cassette also contains the time durationof the recording itself. At-the approximate conclusion of this timelimit, the-doctor or his assistant observes the patient for signs ofawakening. When the patient has awakened, the doctor or his assistantremoves the pad and the earphones from the patient. The patient isquestioned about the effectiveness of the anesthesia. Thereafter, thedoctor may perform the necessary manipulation or operation; or, ifapainful condition is relieved, the patient may be discharged, or allowedto go home. In case of chronic pain the doctor may prescribe the use ofthe tapes and the analgesic pads for the patients continued use in thepatients own home.

Another embodiment for use in dental applications is illustrated in FIG.10. Therein, a vibrator or pulsator 41 is connected by suitabletransmission means such as hollow conduit 43 to suitable pad means 45for conformingly fitting and applying the requisite pressure to draw thepatients attention to the site where the analgesia is to be induced. Forexample, the pad means 45 may be emplaced on the exterior of the cheeksto apply pressure to the gum region where pain is located or where anoperation is to be performed. The pad means 45 may take the form of ahollow rubber tip for conformingly fitting over a given area, buttransmitting the vibration or pulses from the vibrator 41. On the otherhand, it may take the form of a transducing crystal such as apiezoelectric or magnetostrictive means that is responsive to electricalexcitation afforded by a pulsator 41. As described hereinbefore, thetape is played via tape player 35 into the headset 37 for inducing theanalgesia.

In operation, the same procedure is employed as described hereinbefore.That is, the tape is made up by a professional hypnotherapist. Thedentist or assistant applies the pad means 45, starts the vibrator 41;emplaces the headset 37 on the patient and starts the player 35,advising the patient to close his eyes. After the expiration of theindicated time on the cassette, the assistant observes the patient forawakening and the doctor tests the patient for the desired analgesiainducement. As implied from the description hereinbefore, the doctor maythen perform the operation, drilling, or otherwise treat the patient asindicated. If desired, blindfolds may be employed by the patient tolessen distractions during the auto-conditioning of the patient.

From the foregoing descriptive matter it can be seen that this inventionprovides a means for induction of anesthesia; for example, for relieffrom pain or for use in operative procedures where chemical anesthesiais deemed unwise. It has a far greater application in allayingpost-operative pain than chemically induced anesthesia, and theanesthesia may be prolonged for any length of time; the length of timebeing determined in the pre-recorded record means. This invention isvaluable in controlling chronic pain which is not serving any diagnosticor healing purpose and is particularly 6 valuabletinthe-treatment ofarthritis, bursitis, pains of the lower back and terminal cancerwherethe "prolonged use ofundesirable drugs isoften a necessityWlIhOlitthiS invention. No transference of numbness from one area of thebody toaifother'is necessary and no patient participation is requiredother than lis nihg. No participation is re'quiredofthe doctor otherinstructing the patient to placetheearphonfes 'on his 'head and 'listenp' this duty being easily 'performableby a doctor's assistant or ariinstructed indi'y idual 'without special trainingbeing required. Thus."can' be seen that this inventionaccomplishes the objects'expre'ssed andimplied hereinbefore. In addition, this invention effects all of theadvantages described in the aforementioned Pat. No. 3,205,316.

While the invention has been described in a certain amount of detail, itwill be understood that such description and detail has been given byway of illustration and example and not by way of limitation. Manymodifications will be suggested to those skilled in the art which do notgo beyond the scope of this invention and it is therefore intended thatthe invention cover those modifications.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of inducing an analgesic condition in a patient to relievethe patients pain at a site of pain or prospective pain comprising thesteps of:

a. drawing a patients attention to said site and simulating the presenceand pressure of a hypnotherapist by applying to the site a conforminglyfitting fixation inducing means adapted therefor and supplying a forceof at least 0.2 ounce per square inch to said site; and

b. simultaneously auto-conditioning the patientsmuscular-nervous-skeletal systems by playing to the patient, withoutrequiring the presence of the hypnotherapist, a pre-recorded recordmeans containing the speech that the hypnotherapist would normally maketo the patient if he were present and achieving the analgesic condition;said speech referring suggestively to said fixation inducing means andits analgesic condition-inducing qualities.

2. A combination for inducing an analgesic condition in a patient torelieve the patients pain at a site of pain or prospective paincomprising:

a. a fixation inducing means for inducing fixation for inducing ananalgesic condition at said site, said fixation inducing meansconformingly fitting said site and applying to said site a weightdistribution and force of at least 0.2 ounce per square inch andsufficient to effect a patients awareness and draw the patientsattention to said site, thereby simulating the presence and pressure ofa hypnotherapist;

b. a pre-recorded record means preserving oral communication containinga speech that a hypnotherapist would normally make to the patient if hewere present; said speech on said pre-recorded record means suggestivelyreferring to said site and the presence of said fixation inducing meansfor cooperatively inducing said analgesic condition at said site; and

c. transducing means for transducing said speech from said record meansinto auditory sensation perceivable by said patient so as to induce saidanalgesic condition at said site in said patient; said transducing meansbeing in sound communication with said patient so as to connect via saidpatient 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said container has aplurality of discrete chambers for effecting the requisite saidconforming fit. I i

7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said record means is a tape andsaid transducing means is a tape player having speaker means fordirecting the speech into the patient's ears.

8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said fixation inducing meanscomprises a vibratory means and at least one pad that is adapted to fita patients facial region at a site for dental purposes.

1. A method of inducing an analgesic condition in a patient to relievethe patient''s pain at a site of pain or prospective pain comprising thesteps of: a. drawing a patient''s attention to said site and simulatingthe presence and pressure of a hypnotherapist by applying to the site aconformingly fitting fixation inducing means adapted therefor andsupplying a force of at least 0.2 ounce per square inch to said site;and b. simultaneously auto-conditioning the patient''smuscularnervous-skeletal systems by playing to the patient, withoutrequiring the presence of the hypnotherapist, a pre-rEcorded recordmeans containing the speech that the hypnotherapist would normally maketo the patient if he were present and achieving the analgesic condition;said speech referring suggestively to said fixation inducing means andits analgesic condition-inducing qualities.
 2. A combination forinducing an analgesic condition in a patient to relieve the patient''spain at a site of pain or prospective pain comprising: a. a fixationinducing means for inducing fixation for inducing an analgesic conditionat said site, said fixation inducing means conformingly fitting saidsite and applying to said site a weight distribution and force of atleast 0.2 ounce per square inch and sufficient to effect a patient''sawareness and draw the patient''s attention to said site, therebysimulating the presence and pressure of a hypnotherapist; b. apre-recorded record means preserving oral communication containing aspeech that a hypnotherapist would normally make to the patient if hewere present; said speech on said pre-recorded record means suggestivelyreferring to said site and the presence of said fixation inducing meansfor cooperatively inducing said analgesic condition at said site; and c.transducing means for transducing said speech from said record meansinto auditory sensation perceivable by said patient so as to induce saidanalgesic condition at said site in said patient; said transducing meansbeing in sound communication with said patient so as to connect via saidpatient said fixation inducing means and said record means.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said fixation inducing means is a padhaving said sufficient conforming fit and weight distribution to applysaid force.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said weightdistribution is no more than 1 ounce per square inch.
 5. The combinationof claim 3 wherein said pad comprises a relatively thin container havingflexible walls with a silky finish for unfamiliarity to the patient andcontaining a plurality of small pellet particles for effecting therequisite said weight distribution.
 6. The combination of claim 5wherein said container has a plurality of discrete chambers foreffecting the requisite said conforming fit.
 7. The combination of claim2 wherein said record means is a tape and said transducing means is atape player having speaker means for directing the speech into thepatient''s ears.
 8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said fixationinducing means comprises a vibratory means and at least one pad that isadapted to fit a patient''s facial region at a site for dental purposes.